We say it best when we say nothing at all.- Depression In the attached article Jeff Lucas who has some personal experience of depression himself gives some sound advice to those who seek to support others who suffer with it. Quoting the lyrics of a a song by Ronen keating he suggests that there are times when the best kind of ministry is silence. It is a great article but before you read it I would like to share some thoughts of my own. Jeffs article is amazing and when I read it. this reminded me of a time in my life some years back when the depression was so bad that all I could do was hide away. I had received endless counseling but when I think of how I came through that period it is not the counseling that I remember the most. What I remember most is in fact, the intermittent orange glow in the corner of my darkened room . . The orange glow was the only evidence that my vicar Rev David Perrett was sat with me in the darkness as he enjoyed his favourite cigar. He offered no empty rhetoric or platitudes but just just sat with me. David visited and comforted me every day in this way for three whole weeks until the depression lifted. I was aware that as a family man and minster, he was a very busy person, he had many commitments, his visits involved great sacrifice and the fact that he thought me worthy of this was very healing. To quote Stephen fry who sufferers with bipolar, one of the most destructive things about depression is the sense of self loathing that it brings. Stephen says. “depression strips one of ones self worth and leaves only self deprecation, Words of encouragement should never be underestimated, I am always grateful for prayers and advice when I am struggling but perhaps the greatest commodity you can give anyone is your time. In my experience this can go a long way in helping to restore self worth. It is true that Jesus paid the ultimate price to remind us that we are worthy but it was surly also so that we could comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves have received. There are just times when you need to feel that tangible presence of God through a brother in Christ. David provided that for me when he quite literally met me in that dark place. 30 years have now passed since then but even today I am lifted out of depression when I think of rev David Perrett and his ministry to me. I just thank God for men like David Perrett who understand that there are times when we just need to meet people where they are and that there really are times Barry Noel Evans
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:38:51 +0000
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